Get Organized with Emacs Org-mode

Org-mode files are readable, and you can copy and paste the text directly from the Org file into e-mail messages or other documents. You also can export from Org-mode to other file formats. To export an Org file to a formatted ASCII text file with a contents page and automatically numbered headings, use the command M-x org-export-as-ascii. Org-mode generates a file with the same name as the Org file, but with a .txt extension. To export as HTML, use the command M-x org-export-as-html, and Org-mode creates a file with a .html extension. The HTML version will have a hyperlinked contents page, numbered headings, formatted tables, hyperlinks and images, if any (Figure 14).

Figure 14. Org File Exported to HTML Format

I have covered only some of the features Org-mode offers using a single Org file as an example, but there is more to Org-mode. You can maintain multiple Org files and generate agenda views or to-do lists across Org files. Entries can be archived. Org-mode also includes a publishing system to generate a set of interlinked HTML files automatically and upload them to a server. Much of Org-mode's behavior can be customized. Org-mode builds on top of Emacs' core features. It also provides hooks to interact with other Emacs modes and packages. It also can be used to implement David Allen's “Getting Things Done” method for personal productivity (see Resources). I find Org-mode invaluable for taking notes, planning projects, tracking tasks and organizing ideas.

Using only plain-text for writing, organizing, planning, and scheduling may appear to be a quixotic goal. Org-mode meets the challenge and delivers a practical, intuitive, and elegant solution.